New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the National Mission to Eradicate Sickle Cell Anemia in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol and distributed sickle cell genetic status cards to the beneficiaries.
The Prime Minister also launched the distribution of about 3.57 crore Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) cards in Madhya Pradesh. During the program, the Prime Minister honored Rani Durgavati, the ruler of Gondwana in the middle of the 16th century.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Rani Durgavati and said that inspired by her, the National Mission to Eradicate Sickle Cell Anemia is being launched today. He also informed that 1 crore Ayushman cards are being issued to the people of Madhya Pradesh. The Prime Minister underlined that the biggest beneficiaries of the two major efforts are the Gonds, Bhils and other tribal communities. He congratulated the people of Madhya Pradesh and the double engine government on this occasion.
PM Modi said that today from the land of Shahdol, the country is taking a big resolution to secure the lives of the people of the tribal community, to resolve to get rid of sickle cell anemia, to save the lives of 2.5 lakh children and families. affected by the disease. Recalling his personal experience with tribal communities, the Prime Minister outlined the painful symptoms and genetic origins of sickle cell anemia.
The Prime Minister lamented the fact that for the last 70 years, no attention has been paid to the issue of sickle cell anemia even though India accounts for more than 50 percent of sickle cell anemia cases in the world. He highlighted the apathy of the previous governments towards the tribal communities and said that it was the present government which found a solution.
The PM said that this campaign to eradicate sickle cell anemia will become the main mission of Amrit Kaal. He expressed determination to free the tribal communities and the country from the menace of sickle cell anemia by 2047. He underlined the need for a coordinated approach by the government, health workers and tribals. He informed that blood banks are being set up for patients, the system of bone marrow transplant is being increased and the screening of sickle cell anemia is being given a new look. He asked people to come forward for screening.
The Prime Minister said that illness affects the entire family as illness pushes the family into the trap of poverty. Referring to his background of poverty, the Prime Minister said that the government knows the pain and is sensitive about helping the patients. These efforts have reduced TB cases and the country is working to eliminate TB by 2025. Giving facts about the incidence of various diseases, the Prime Minister said that there were 11,000 cases of Kala-azar in 2013, which have come down now. less than a thousand. There were 10 lakh cases of malaria in 2013 which has now come down to less than 2 lakh in 2022. Similarly, the cases of leprosy have reduced from 1.25 lakh to 70-75 thousand.
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